Cooking up a Sex Symbols list is easy: Start with a full compliment of Kardashians, add a couple Victoria's Secret models in ridiculous bras, sprinkle in a SI Swimsuit Issue cover star and a pinch of some steely-eyed British actor who will win all the awards, bake at 450 for 35 minutes then serve hot. Always serve hot.

But there's a downside to all that – it usually makes for pretty standard fare. So rather than just cobble together the same old collection of beautiful people, we've done our due diligence, digging deep to find the men and women who made their mark on 2015, and looked good doing it. And there were plenty of potential nominees to choose from – actors, athletes, musicians, politicians and, yes, one member of the Kardashian clan (though she's technically a Jenner) that did great things this year, and had us feeling, well, feelings. These are the 25 Hottest Sex Symbols of 2015.

Alessia Cara

The 19-year-old Canadian singer pulled off the rarest of feats in 2015: She somehow turned an antisocial anthem into a party-starting smash. The song in question, "Here," racked up more than 33 million views on YouTube, climbed to Number Eight on the Hot 100 and set the stage for her November debut, Know-It-All, on which she displays a depth that rivals artists twice her age. But no matter how high she climbs, she'll still be the quiet kid from suburban Ontario – as evidenced by her reaction to singing "Here" on stage with Taylor Swift earlier this month: "I was so high on adrenaline, I practically started crying," she says. Dry those tears – 2016's shaping up to be even bigger. JM

Alicia Vikander

Whether she was doing period work in The Danish Girl or exploring the expanses of the not-too-distant future in Ex Machina, Vikander displayed serious chops in 2015, which isn't a surprise to those who watched her career blossom in her native Sweden. But this was the year international audiences truly came to know and appreciate the vivacious verisimilitude she brings to her work – whether she was playing a willing wife or an icy machine, the soul of her characters shone through. And with a Golden Globe nomination for The Danish Girl already under her belt (and a presumptive Oscar nomination next), it won't be long until we're all members of her mutual admiration society. JM

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Actress/writer Amy Schumer, winner of the award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series for 'Inside Amy Schumer', poses in the press room at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Mark Davis/Getty

Amy Schumer

Sure, she starred in one of the year's biggest comedy hits, Trainwreck, premiered an HBO standup special and opened for Madonna on her Rebel Heart Tour, but if Amy Schumer's nearly nude Pirelli Calendar photo shoot was the comedian's only brush with the evocative this year, she still would have earned her Sex Symbol stripes. The resulting pic, which Schumer described as "Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman," rejected the calendar's norm – unblemished actress/model-types – much in the same way Inside Amy Schumer addressed everything from high school rape to TV "fuckability:" By provoking the audience's judgment, and forcing them to confront their own biases. And that's sexy as hell. MS

CONCORD, NH - NOVEMBER 05: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks at a rally after filing paperwork for the New Hampshire primary at the State House on November 5, 2015 in Concord, New Hampshire. Each candidate must file paperwork to be on the New Hampshire primary ballot, which will be held February 9, 2016. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Scott Eisen/Getty

Bernie Sanders

Hip? Nope. Stylish? Not really. Overly concerned with either of those things? No way. And yet, despite all that – or perhaps because of it – America still swooned for Bernie Sanders in 2015. The lovable-yet-cantankerous political underdog has become a runaway sensation this election cycle, garnering support from musicians like David Crosby, Killer Mike and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and snapping at the heels of the establishment with a Larry David-ian determination. So what if he doesn't comb his hair? Thanks to his rumpled appeal and no-nonsense attitude, Sanders has rallied massive grassroots support and touched off a political revolution. And there's nothing sexier than telling the One Percent to shove it. RKC

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 21: Brie Larson attends AOL BUILD Series: "Room" at AOL Studios In New York on October 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic)

Laura Cavanaugh/Getty

Brie Larson

She's one of those actors who've grown up right before our eyes – from childhood appearances in Tonight Show sketches to teenaged roles in Disney fare like Right on Track (to say nothing of her only album, the teen-pop opus Finally Out of P.E.) – but over the past two years, the 26-year-old Larson has truly arrived. Her coronation began in earnest with her turn in the indie drama Short Term 12, then kicked into high gear with a pair of roles in 2015: as Amy Schumer's straightlaced sister in Trainwreck and her startling, sublime work as Ma in Room. Thanks to the latter, she seems like a mortal lock to nab a Best Actress Oscar nom, and at next month's Golden Globes, she'll have noted film critic Mariah Carey in her corner. And who's gonna argue with Mimi? JM

Daisy Ridley

If you weren't aware of this 23-year-old Brit at the beginning of the year, you weren't alone – but if you still haven't noticed her, we've got to ask: How are you reading this in your underground bunker? Plucked from relative obscurity (or British TV) by J.J. Abrams, she was cast in a leading role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a move that turned her into a sensation literally overnight. And given that the latest installment of the Sci-Fi franchise will probably make a few bucks at the box office, there's a good chance she'll be around for a while. So don't worry, there's plenty of time to get to know her. JM

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 28: (L-R) Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood of band 5 Seconds Of Summer perform On NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza on October 28, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Monica Schipper/Getty

5 Seconds of Summer

It's been a while since a band – with instruments and everything – caused so many girls to squeal with delight. The Australian imports became a bona fide sensation this year, with each hunky member taking up prime real estate on teenage bedroom walls across America. Yet despite their looks, 5SoS seem hell-bent on rejecting the "boy band" label they've been stuck with (case in point: this photo). Whatever their formula is, it's working – after their second record, 2015's Sounds Good Feels Good, bowed atop the charts, 5 Seconds of Summer became the first band to have their first two albums debut at number one on the Billboard Top 200. Really. Up next? A world tour, set to kick off in February. And unlike a boy band, they'll be performing live. RKC

GEORGE, WA - MAY 23: Joshua Tillman of Father John Misty performs live at Sasquatch! Music festival at the Gorge Amphitheater on May 23, 2015 in George, Washington. (Photo by Steven Dewall/Redferns via Getty Images)

Steven Dewall/Redferns/Getty

Father John Misty

Leave it to Josh Tillman to make the institution of marriage sexy. In 2013, the man known as Father John Misty – shamanic sex god and musical misanthrope – got hitched, then spent much of the following year writing an album about it. But rather than bemoaning the death of his bachelorhood, Misty redefined the constructs of love and lust with I Love You, Honeybear, one of 2015's best, most bracing albums. On it, he recounts his first meeting with his future wife, details the various dalliances that dotted his road to the wedding chapel and counters matters of love and sex with forlorn doom, boredom and near nihilism – "Everything is doomed/And nothing will be spared," he sings on the album's title track, "But I love you, Honeybear." In short, it might just be the realest record ever written about marriage. If you're searching for an apocalyptic fantasy, look no further. WM

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Spieth of the United States plays a bunker shot on the 9th hole during day two of the Australian Open at the Australian Golf Club on November 27, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Mark Metcalfe/Getty

Jordan Spieth

If you dismissed golf as boring, then you missed out on a lot in 2015 – most of which involved the sport's newest sensation, 22-year-old Jordan Spieth. Swagged in head-to-toe Under Armour (and his new Green Jacket), Spieth's Texas charm and sexy swing had folks alternately gushing and seething with jealousy. But his looks merely garnished his athletic accomplishments, as Spieth dominated the PGA Tour. He won both the Masters and the U.S. Open, making him the first golfer in nearly 100 years to win two majors before his 22nd birthday, ascended to Number One on the World Golf Rankings and has earned a modest $31 million for his efforts, staying humble all the while – swoon. His secret? Spieth doesn't win with power, he wins with finesse and balls of steel. WM

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been converted to black and white.) Singer Justin Bieber performs onstage during the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Justin Trudeau

Paying closer attention to Canadian politics recently? You're not alone. When October election results brought news that Justin Trudeau, son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, would take office as leader of a new Liberal majority (ending the reign of tightly pressed Conservative Stephen Harper), the Internet practically exploded with JFK comparisons; in part because of Trudeau's center-left politics and fresh-faced optimism, and in part because he's a goddamn fox. Between Trudeau's plans to legalize marijuana nationally, his recent visit to Toronto's Pearson Airport to welcome Syrian refugees, and that million-dollar smile, the new PM is a one-man tourism ad. Woah, Canada. MS

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 12: Kylie Jenner arrives at Cosmopolitan Magazine's 50th Birthday Celebration at Ysabel on October 12, 2015 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

Gregg DeGuire/Getty

Kylie Jenner

She's not the model. Or the one who's married to Kanye. Or the one who was (or maybe still is?) married to Lamar Odom. Instead, 18-year-old Kylie may be the most successful of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians clan, at least based on her current portfolio – and forecasted future earnings. In September, she released a free app (don't worry, there's a paywall that charges users $2.99 a month) that was not only downloaded more times than any of her four sisters', it shot to the top spot on the iTunes App Store chart. When she revealed she preferred MAC's "Spice" lip pencil on Instagram, sales shot up to such a degree that the cosmetics giant experienced nationwide shortages. And then she launched her own Kylie Lip Kit, which – you guessed it – sold out in minutes. Oh, and did we mention she was just named the most reblogged reality star on Tumblr, beating out all of her sisters. Again. In short, she's a millennial money making machine. Sorry, Tyga – you blew it.JM

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Le1f poses for a portrait backstage before his performance at 130 Hope Street on October 17, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

Roger Kisby/Getty

Le1f

"I think I am the hottest toddy at the party," New York emcee Le1f raps on his hyperactive single "Koi," and if you've been following him for the last few years, it's hard to disagree with that assessment. Le1f's gender-fluid artistry is reminiscent of iconic artists like Grace Jones and David Bowie, and his ability to flit from slurred come-ons to razor-sharp flow made him the year's most unclassifiable act. Which is kind of the point. His debut album Riot Boi included collaborations with subversive artists like SOPHIE and Junglepussy, and his off the wall, conceptual music videos have brought a healthy dose of surrealism to hip-hop. Addressing subjects like racism, classism, sexism and homophobia with style, Le1f is not just sexy, he's fearless. RKC

Michael B. Jordan

After an early career that featured small-screen work on The Wire and Friday Night Lights, the 28-year-old Jordan became a bankable big-screen star thanks to 2012's sleeper hit Chronicle, then earned raves for his role as Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station. But in 2015, he broke out big time with Creed, the umpteenth (OK, more like seventh) installment of the Rocky franchise that saw him show off his acting chops – and chiseled abs – as Adonis Creed, the estranged son of Rocky Balboa's former rival. Is he Hollywood's next great leading man? Quite possibly, but Jordan doesn't seem all that concerned with his star status: At the moment, he's busy writing a comic book – hey, anything to preserve that face. SA

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 12: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been digitally altered) Actor Rami Malek of Showtime's 'Mr.Robot' poses in the Getty Images Portrait Studio powered by Samsung Galaxy at the 2015 Summer TCA's at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 12, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Maarten de Boer/Getty Images Portrait)

Maarten de Boer/Getty

Rami Malek

He's paid his dues in standard fare like TV's The War at Home (Don't remember it? Doesn't matter) and the Night at the Museum franchise, but the 34-year-old Malek found his greatest success – and legions of new fans – by veering off Hollywood's beaten path. In 2015, he starred in Mr. Robot, USA Network's critically lauded, too-cool-for TV drama, and Until Dawn, a PS4 horror game that pushed the survival genre into gory new territory. He just earned a Golden Globe nomination for his work on Robot, but don't let that – or the show's icy take on 21st century life – fool you; turns out, he's just a normal guy, with student loans and everything. Now you two will have something to talk about! JM

Ruby Rose

If all goes well, maybe one day we'll look back on Ruby Rose as a major figure in America's slow march towards accepting gender fluidity. Much more than just another pretty face, the 29-year-old Rose got her start as model and TV personality in Australia, and in 2014 released Break Free, a short film in which she manipulated her appearance across the gender spectrum. The video went viral, and a year later, she appeared as androgynous Australian inmate Stella Carlin in the third season of Netflix hit Orange is the New Black, developing a fanbase that befits some combination of pin-up model, LGBT advocate and Hollywood superstar. Not a bad cellmate. MS

Sam Hunt

A football star in high school, Hunt played through a series of injuries at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but was still good enough to earn a training camp invite from the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. He didn't make the team, but football's loss was our gain. Hunt – who taught himself to play guitar while in college – headed to Nashville, where he found success as a songwriter, and in early 2014, he inked a deal with MCA Nashville. And the rest was (very literally) history: His solo debut, Montevallo, featured three platinum hits, making him the first country artist to have all the singles from his debut crack the top 40 of Billboard's Hot 100, and earned him a pair of Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. But what makes him a sex symbol? I mean, do you have eyes? JM

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 05: Serena Williams in action against Madison Keys of the United States (not seen) of the United States during their Women's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Seven of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 6, 2015. (Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Serena Williams

In 2015, she pulled off her second Serena Slam, meaning she won all four of tennis' Grand Slam tournaments consecutively, and came within two matches of winning all four tournaments in the same calendar year – a feat that hasn't been accomplished since Steffi Graf pulled it off in 1988. That Williams did it at the age of 33 (she turned 34 in September) was impressive; that she made it look so effortless was jaw dropping. Simply put, Serena dominated 2015, and she was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year for her efforts. She's also a style icon, an inspiration and a genuine badass – just ask the dude who tried to steal her cellphone – the rare female athlete so successful it really didn't matter who she was dating…even if that person may have been Drake. Now that's saying something. JM

Shu Qi

The Taiwanese actress and model has appeared in nearly 80 films to date, making her one of the most bankable stars in Hong Kong cinema – and though she's done some international work, too (most notably alongside Jason Statham in The Transporter), it was her role in 2015's The Assassin that truly put her on the global stage. Starring as the titular killer, she cut a swath of destruction across the screen, and the film was nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes. It's also Taiwan's official submission in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 88th Academy Awards, and we're willing to bet it makes the cut. After watching The Assassin, we wouldn't want to cross her…JM

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors stands on the court during their game against the Chicago Bulls at ORACLE Arena on November 20, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Ezra Shaw/Getty

Stephen Curry

A sublime scorer with a shooter's touch that could probably earn him a spot in the Avengers, Steph also happens to be the reigning NBA MVP, the key cog in the defending champion Golden State Warriors' machine, an amazing father and a GQ model. Oh, and he's only 27, meaning he's just entering his peak years as a player – we'd say his best days are yet to come, but everything he's accomplished so far has been pretty damn impressive. Is there anything he can't do? No, not really. JM

Travis Scott

In 2015, Travis Scott dropped his studio debut, Rodeo, hit the road with the Weeknd, pissed on graves with Kanye West and still found time to make out with Rihanna. Yeah, it was a pretty good year for the 23-year-old rapper, who was making beats as a teenager and signed with West's GOOD Music as an in-house producer when he was 20. But next year could be even better – in February, he'll hit the road with RiRi on her massive Anti Tour (wonder if they'll be wearing Pumas?) and he sure seems to know an awful lot about Kanye's new album, too. If 2015 was the year "La Flame" went worldwide, expect nothing less than world domination from the hottest rapper (literally) in 2016. SA

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 29: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been digitally altered) Host Trevor Noah of Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' poses in the Getty Images Portrait Studio powered by Samsung Galaxy at the 2015 Summer TCA's at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Maarten de Boer/Getty Images)

Maarten de Boer/Getty

Trevor Noah

31-year-old Trevor Noah stepped lightly into Jon Stewart's ginormous, vacant shoes when the Daily Show's veteran anchor retired this summer after more than 2,500 episodes. "It feels like the family has a new stepdad. And he's black," Noah said in his first show. Since then, his Daily Show has blossomed – its audience is younger, more diverse and more Internet-savvy than it ever was during Stewart's reign. And though Noah has yet to trump Stewart's profound presence on the Hot-Late-Night listicle circuit, judging from initial reactions to the fresh-faced host, it's only a matter of time. MS

USA forward Abby Wambach (C) and teammates celebrate after their victory in the final football match between USA and Japan during their 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver on July 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Franck Fife/Getty

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team

Does getting revenge turn you on? If so, watching the U.S. Women's National Team avenge their 2011 loss to Japan to claim the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup may have been the hottest moment of the year. But this team's triumph stirred plenty of other emotions, too – that swelling in your heart is known as pride, BTW – which is fitting, because this was a squad for the ages. As Nike's "American Woman" commercial hyped, the USWNT totally kicked ass: Midfielder Carli Lloyd scored four goals in the first 15 minutes of World Cup Final, Hope Solo won the Golden Glove for top goalkeeper at the tournament, FIFA 16 covergirl Alex Morgan said she plans to "be the best player in the world" in her Self cover story and Abby Wambach retired from the game with 184 international goals – more than any other man or woman. Trading in their cleats for stilettos, this team brought the heat on and off the field (as aptly displayed at the ESPY Awards and onstage with Taylor Swift), reigning as this year's hottest champs. WM